Major Announcements

Kap Paper said it has received $50 million in loans from the Ontario government, which helped provide short-term stability. It said it had approached Ottawa for funding, but the timing "doesn't appear to be aligning" for a solution to keep the Kapuskasing mill open.

The mill's increased capacity will create more than 600 new jobs in the province's forestry supply chain.

Following the death of longtime chairman and CEO Richard G. Verney on Sept. 10, Monadnock Paper Mills and Monadnock Non-Wovens have announced that former CFO Andrew Manns will return as CEO and operations will continue without interruption under the direction of the board and Manns.

The Norwegian Research Council (NFR) has awarded NOK 15 million to support Borregaard's innovation initiative, Biomer. The project aims to develop bio-based alternatives to polycarboxylates - fossil-based polymers commonly used in agriculture, industry, and household products.

Pregis®, a global leader in protective packaging, mailing & bagging, and flexible packaging solutions, opened a new 477,000-square-foot paper converting center in Elgin, Illinois, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19, 2025. The facility will support over 500 manufacturing jobs and can produce more than 1 billion curbside recyclable paper packaging solutions annually.

Mondi welcomed international customers and partners to celebrate the start-up of its Duino mill in Italy following the successful conversion of its existing paper machine into a high-quality recycled containerboard machine.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. announced the resignation of Gabriela Garcia, the Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President, Corporate Controller, effective October 10, 2025. Her resignation was not due to any disagreements with the company.

After an initial mill closure announcement, efforts had been made to find a buyer. However, those efforts did not find success, and the company announced they would close on Aug. 10 and lay off 780 workers.

Billerud has decided to launch a cost saving program targeting annualized savings of SEK 800 million. The planned cost savings will affect Billerud's European operations and Group functions globally and will include reduction of up to 650 positions.

Schertell brings more than 30 years of experience in the specialty materials industry. She previously served as president and CEO of Mativ Holdings, which was formed from the merger of Schweitzer Mauduit International and Neenah Inc. Before that role, she led Neenah Inc. as president and CEO.

In June, a carbon capture pilot plant came online at Metsä Group's Rauma mill, where the company is testing the capture of pulp mill flue gases in cooperation with the technology company Andritz, the supplier of the pilot plant.

Interfor Corporation will reduce lumber production by approximately 145 million board feet between September and December 2025, representing approximately 12% of its normal operating stance. The company has annual lumber production capacity of approximately 4.7 billion board feet.

Domtar will temporarily shut its Glenwood, Arkansas sawmill on October 10, halting operations at a facility that produces 167 million board feet of southern yellow pine lumber annually and employs 113 workers.

Mill also closed for several months earlier this year.

Progroup's corrugated sheetfeeder plant in the northern Italian city of Cessalto successfully started regular operation.

An online auction will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 for assets from the Graphic Packaging Middletown, Ohio mill.

IP to Sell Global Cellulose Fibers Business to American Industrial Partners; Other Changes Include a $250 Million Investment in the Riverdale Mill in Selma, Ala. and the Closure of Riceboro Mill, Savannah Mill and Savannah Box Plant

Domtar says it will "idle" its Grenada facility next month, indefinitely.

Novolex is shutting down a former Pactiv Evergreen plant in Bakersfield, California, according to a WARN notice posted by the state. The company is permanently closing the manufacturing facility come Oct. 14, impacting 127 employees.

Smurfit Westrock will close in early October, according to the Iowa WARN site.

Sappi Europe has announced the initiation of a consultation process at its Kirkniemi Mill in Finland as part of a proposed asset restructure. This step is being taken in response to a structural decline in demand across Europe and sustained financial challenges. The proposed changes are intended to ensure long term competitiveness in the Graphic Paper Market and align production capacity with changing market dynamics and customer needs.

Novolex®, a leading manufacturer in the food and beverage packaging industry, announced that James "JT" Jones has been appointed Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), effective August 11, 2025. In this role, Jones will be responsible for leading the company's global procurement team, processes and strategy. He will be based in Lake Forest, IL and will report to Novolex Chairman and CEO, Stan Bikulege.

The paper and paper-based packaging industry's national research and promotion program, administered by the Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB), will not continue following the results of the July continuance referendum vote.

Carmichael joins Kimberly-Clark after three decades at Nestlé, most recently serving as President and CEO of Nestlé Canada, where he oversaw a broad portfolio that included ice cream, coffee, beverages, water, confectionery, nutrition and pet care.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) -- the leading professional society for automation -- has announced the program for the 2025 ISA Automation Summit & Expo (ASE) this fall at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL.